Our Fundamental Problem

Our Fundamental Problem
Author: Nicholas Maxwell
Publisher: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2020-06-03
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0228002877

How can the world we live in and see, touch, hear, and smell, the world of living things, people, consciousness, free will, meaning, and value - how can all of this exist and flourish embedded as it is in the physical universe, made up of nothing but physical entities such as electrons and quarks? How can anything be of value if everything in the universe is, ultimately, just physics? In Our Fundamental Problem Nicholas Maxwell argues that this problem of reconciling the human and physical worlds needs to take centre stage in our thinking, so that our best ideas about it interact with our attempts to solve even more important specialized problems of thought and life. When we explore this fundamental problem, Maxwell argues, revolutionary answers emerge for a wide range of questions arising in philosophy, science, social inquiry, academic inquiry as a whole, and - most important of all - our capacity to solve the global problems that threaten our future: climate change, habitat destruction, extinction of species, inequality, war, pollution of earth, sea, and air. An unorthodox introduction to philosophy, Our Fundamental Problem brings philosophy down to earth and demonstrates its vital importance for science, scholarship, education, life, and the fate of the world.

The Two Fundamental Problems of the Theory of Knowledge

The Two Fundamental Problems of the Theory of Knowledge
Author: Karl Popper
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 494
Release: 2014-05-01
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1135626839

In a letter of 1932, Karl Popper described Die beiden Grundprobleme der Erkenntnistheorie – The Two Fundamental Problems of the Theory of Knowledge – as ‘...a child of crises, above all of ...the crisis of physics.’ Finally available in English, it is a major contribution to the philosophy of science, epistemology and twentieth century philosophy generally. The two fundamental problems of knowledge that lie at the centre of the book are the problem of induction, that although we are able to observe only a limited number of particular events, science nevertheless advances unrestricted universal statements; and the problem of demarcation, which asks for a separating line between empirical science and non-science. Popper seeks to solve these two basic problems with his celebrated theory of falsifiability, arguing that the inferences made in science are not inductive but deductive; science does not start with observations and proceed to generalise them but with problems, which it attacks with bold conjectures. The Two Fundamental Problems of the Theory of Knowledge is essential reading for anyone interested in Karl Popper, in the history and philosophy of science, and in the methods and theories of science itself.

The Two Fundamental Problems of Ethics

The Two Fundamental Problems of Ethics
Author: Arthur Schopenhauer
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 334
Release: 2009-06-11
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 0521871409

This translation is the first English edition to reunite Schopenhauer's two major essays on ethics in one volume.

Fundamental Issues in Evaluation

Fundamental Issues in Evaluation
Author: Nick L. Smith
Publisher: Guilford Press
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2008-01-01
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1593853424

Providing state-of-the-art perspectives on what evaluation is, its purpose, and how to ensure it is done well, this book brings together major evaluation researchers from a variety of social and behavioral science disciplines. Each chapter identifies a fundamental issue facing the field today; considers its implications for theory, method, practice, or the profession; and explores one or more approaches to dealing with the issue. Among the topics addressed are the nature of expertise in evaluation, how to build a better evidence base for evaluation theory, promoting cultural competence in evaluation, how to synthesize evaluation research findings, ways to involve stakeholders in decision making, and much more.

The Fundamental Problems of Western Metaphysics

The Fundamental Problems of Western Metaphysics
Author: Xavier Zubiri
Publisher: University Press of America
Total Pages: 245
Release: 2010
Genre: History
ISBN: 0761848770

This book introduces the profound reflections of Xavier Zubiri (1898-1983) on the history of philosophy to English-speaking audiences. As a philosopher who rethought much of philosophy and theology, Zubiri felt it necessary to be in continuous dialogue with earlier thinkers both to avoid past mistakes and to extract all that is valuable from them. The theme of the present book is the transcendental in Western philosophy and how a firm grasp of it reveals underlying unity in Western philosophy, but also fundamental problems that Zubiri believed require a complete rethinking of certain basic notions and theories. Zubiri develops this theme by analyzing the work of six major philosophers: Aristotle, St. Thomas, Descartes, Leibniz, Kant, and Hegel. To conclude, he sketches his own resolution of the problems of Western philosophy, a subject addressed in greater depth in his major work, Sentient Intelligence. This translation was made possible by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Culture.

Fundamental Problems of Algorithmic Algebra

Fundamental Problems of Algorithmic Algebra
Author: Chee-Keng Yap
Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand
Total Pages: 511
Release: 2000
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 9780195125160

Popular computer algebra systems such as Maple, Macsyma, Mathematica, and REDUCE are now basic tools on most computers. Efficient algorithms for various algebraic operations underlie all these systems. Computer algebra, or algorithmic algebra, studies these algorithms and their properties and represents a rich intersection of theoretical computer science with classical mathematics. Fundamental Problems of Algorithmic Algebra provides a systematic and focused treatment of a collection of core problemsthe computational equivalents of the classical Fundamental Problem of Algebra and its derivatives. Topics covered include the GCD, subresultants, modular techniques, the fundamental theorem of algebra, roots of polynomials, Sturm theory, Gaussian lattice reduction, lattices and polynomial factorization, linear systems, elimination theory, Grobner bases, and more. Features · Presents algorithmic ideas in pseudo-code based on mathematical concepts and can be used with any computer mathematics system · Emphasizes the algorithmic aspects of problems without sacrificing mathematical rigor · Aims to be self-contained in its mathematical development · Ideal for a first course in algorithmic or computer algebra for advanced undergraduates or beginning graduate students

Fundamental Problems in Quantum Physics

Fundamental Problems in Quantum Physics
Author: M. Ferrero
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 372
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401585296

For many physicists quantum theory contains strong conceptual difficulties, while for others the apparent conclusions about the reality of our physical world and the ways in which we discover that reality remain philosophically unacceptable. This book focuses on recent theoretical and experimental developments in the foundations of quantum physics, including topics such as the puzzles and paradoxes which appear when general relativity and quantum mechanics are combined; the emergence of classical properties from quantum mechanics; stochastic electrodynamics; EPR experiments and Bell's Theorem; the consistent histories approach and the problem of datum uniqueness in quantum mechanics; non-local measurements and teleportation of quantum states; quantum non-demolition measurements in optics and matter wave properties observed by neutron, electron and atomic interferometry. Audience: This volume is intended for graduate students of physics and those interested in the foundations of quantum theory.

Solving Modern Problems With a Stone-Age Brain

Solving Modern Problems With a Stone-Age Brain
Author: Douglas T. Kenrick
Publisher: American Psychological Association
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2022-05-17
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 1433834790

Like our ancestors, we must do our best to survive, form friendships, win respect, attract mates, and care for our families. In the 21st century, however, the threats to our survival are sometimes hidden. This book presents evolutionary science-based advice for fending off our modern attackers and learning how to be happy in the modern world.

In Praise of Natural Philosophy

In Praise of Natural Philosophy
Author: Nicholas Maxwell
Publisher: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP
Total Pages:
Release: 2017-02-24
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0773549048

In Praise of Natural Philosophy argues for a transformation of both science and philosophy, so that these two distinct domains of thought become one: natural philosophy. This in turn has far-reaching consequences for the whole academic enterprise. It transpires that universities need to be reorganized so that they become devoted to seeking and promoting wisdom by rational means – as opposed to just acquiring knowledge. Modern science began as natural philosophy. What today we call science and philosophy, in Newton's time formed one integrated enterprise: to improve our knowledge and understanding of the universe. Profound discoveries were made. And then natural philosophy died. It split into science and philosophy. But the two fragments are defective shadows of the glorious unified endeavour of natural philosophy. Rigour, sheer intellectual good sense, and decisive argument demand that we put the two together again, and rediscover the immense merits of the integrated enterprise of natural philosophy. This requires an intellectual revolution, with profound consequences for how we understand the universe, do both science and philosophy, and tackle global problems. A comprehensive addition to discussions about the purposes of academia, In Praise of Natural Philosophy has dramatic implications for the fate of our world.

Finance – Fundamental Problems and Solutions

Finance – Fundamental Problems and Solutions
Author: Zhiqiang Zhang
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 115
Release: 2013-06-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3642305121

As indicated by the title, this book focuses on fundamental problems in finance: a logical dilemma in valuation, stock valuation methods/models, risk valuation, and optimal capital structure. It presents an innovative approach to logic and quantitative reasoning (without advanced mathematics) that delivers valuable results ---- convincing solutions to these problems. Readers in finance will definitely be interested in these solutions as well as the methods. In fact, these fundamental problems are essential in the field of finance, and they have remained unsolved (or partly unsolved) for decades. The solutions offered in this book are all sound in theory and feasible in practice, and will hopefully benefit both theoretic al research and practical decision-making.